Professor F novel Chapter 73

Some people say you need someone to move on from a break up.

August gazed upon Pierre's handsome smiling face as he cupped her face in his hands gently after sharing a short, soft kiss.

While others believe that you need time to heal and be whole again.

She closed her eyes and in the darkness of her vision, she saw a memory of Flynn's face from that last night she spent with him.

Hurt. Sad. Scared.

For August, who gave everything to her first love, it's difficult to just forget about the memories she shared with Flynn or to forget about him.

She was quiet as she looked into Pierre's eyes, blushing. She opened her mouth but no words would escape her.

She felt his arms around her shoulders, hugging her as he brushed her hair. "I know you don't feel the same way." She can imagine the soothing smile on his face as he talks. "I was holding back because I know you're with Flynn. I feel like this is my chance. And I don't want to regret not fighting for it though I know there's a possibility of you getting back with him." He sighed gently. "I think my only consolation is that I now have this chance after what he's done."

She bites her lower lip to stop herself from sobbing as she remembers what happened to her and Flynn.

"Besides, I still need you to tutor me again." He pats her head as he smiled.

She looked at him. "You do?"

He nodded. "Are you ready to see this face everyday?"

"What?! I have other students that I teach—"

He laughed at her panicky face. "Relax. Seeing my face doesn't mean teaching me everyday. I'll be at the coffee shop before I go to my band practice besides the tutoring stuff." He winked.

"Pierre—"

He took a deep breath as he released her from his embrace then grabs his cello. "Don't worry about me, August. I know where I stand. And I know what I want."

He smiled at her lovingly.

••••••

"Have a safe trip! I'll see you when classes start." Pierre waved goodbye after hugging her tight.

She waved back at him and went inside the airport. As soon as she arrived in Seattle, her father was waiting for her with a confused look.

And she knew why he has that look on his face. "Where's Flynn?"

She hugged him tight to hide the sadness in her eyes. "I miss you, Dad."

He hugged her back and didn't ask about Flynn again. "Come on. Mom's excited to see you."

She looked outside the window even when answering her father's random questions about her trip and school. "Are you alright?"

With that question, she forgot the restrictions she made for herself and turned to face her father's face.

He smiled as he glanced at her. "You finally looked at me."

She uncomfortably looked forward, facing the road as she holds her phone tightly. Flynn never contacted her again.

"I'm just a little tired." She lied.

He nodded. "Just making sure."

She sighed softly and felt guilty. "Thanks, Dad." Her phone then vibrated and Pierre's name appeared on the screen.

How's your flight?

She smiled as she opened the message to respond.

Wow! Did you really check my plane's already landed? It's 3am in England. You should be sleeping. ?

BTW, Thanks again for letting me stay. ☺️ She sent another message to him.

No worries. You can stay anytime. ? He teased. And yes, I checked your flight. Stayed up to make sure you got home safe. Now I can go to sleep.

Are you serious?

Dead.

What?

HAHAHA Dead serious. Wanna see how serious I am?

She almost dropped her phone when it started vibrating and Pierre's incoming video call appeared on her phone screen but after a ring it stopped.

Then he started typing...

She waited but the three dots kept moving. What exactly is he going to tell her? And was he just messing around making that video call?

Too impatient to wait for his message, she sent him one instead.

Are you going to say something or what?

The three dots kept moving.

Pierre? ? She murmured to herself, "He must be sleeping now."

Still, it appears that he's typing a lengthy message or something.

She was about to send him, Sweet dre—

When he sent her, I miss you.

Her fingers stopped moving when she read that message. She felt her heart skipped a beat. Feeling sad and guilty about things between them.

She's confused.

Pierre is a real nice guy. He's very vocal about his feelings for her and doesn't mind about whether she feels the same or not. She feels bad, it's as if she's taking advantage of his kindness through his feelings.

Besides, she feels bad thinking about Flynn when Pierre is with her.

She looked at the message again and the three dots didn't stop moving.

Did he fall asleep? What should I say to him?

She bites her lower lip, thinking what's the best response.

A thumbs up icon? A smiley? Blushing emoticon? Should I say something? Maybe I'll leave it as read?

She's in that dilemma when her phone started ringing and her mother's name is on the screen. She answered the call, causing her to forget about Pierre's last message.

She was asked to buy a few ingredients for their New Year's celebration at her apartment.

She went to sleep as soon as she got back while her parents were preparing for New Year's Eve.